The highest-ranked faculty participant may safe his PGA Tour card this week in Hawaii.
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Luke Clanton isn’t a full-time PGA Tour professional but, however, at this week’s Sony Open, the top-ranked beginner can guarantee he has a spot ready for him when his Florida State profession ends.
The 21-year-old picked up 17 PGA Tour College Accelerated factors final summer time due to 4 top-10 finishes, together with two second-place finishes — and the 20-point mark ensures him a PGA Tour card every time he decides to show professional. Clanton, who’s taking part in the Sony Open on a sponsor exemption, can decide up these three vital factors with a top-five end in Hawaii. He’ll get two factors for a top-10 end and one level if he makes the reduce however finishes outdoors the highest 10.
The Florida State junior had a 2024 to recollect.
Clanton led the Seminoles to the 2024 NCAA Championship, the place they fell to Auburn 3-2. Clanton then took his abilities to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. He completed T-41 and practically tracked down Neil Shipley for low beginner honors.
Sponsorship exemptions adopted in the summertime as Clanton completed T-10 on the Rocket Mortage, T-2 on the John Deere, fifth on the Wyndham Championship, and T-2 on the RSM Traditional.
Clanton is at the moment ranked 87th on the planet. That’s the second-highest rank ever by an beginner, behind solely Nick Dunlap, who leaped to No. 68 simply earlier than turning professional.
After his spectacular summer time and fall, Clanton may have elected to show professional. Nonetheless, he returned to Florida State so as to add a nationwide title to his rising resume.
Vanderbilt’s Gordon Sargent earned his PGA Tour card via the PGA Tour College Accelerated, however he elected to return to Nashville for his senior season. Clanton may additionally defer his Tour card for one more yr and return to Florida State for his senior season.
Even when Clanton doesn’t safe it this week, there’s little doubt he’ll have it quickly. He’s in line to realize one other level on Feb. 5, when he’ll attain 26 weeks because the world’s prime beginner. He’s additionally the front-runner for the Hogan Award, which is given to the perfect faculty golfer in America. The award takes under consideration efficiency on all ranges, not simply faculty, and if Clanton wins that, he’ll earn three extra factors and get his card.
Clanton’s PGA Tour future is on the horizon. 4 good days at Waialae Nation Membership are all he must safe it.
